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Aviation & Defense

Aerospace power test solutions and test sequences for testing power converters, PDUs, compliance, and more.
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Aerospace Compliance Testing

As aircraft electronics continue to evolve, so do their power test requirements. Aircraft systems have grown from their original 115Vac L-N / 208Vac L-L at 400Hz fixed frequency to sophisticated on-board power systems operating at 115Vac and 230Vac and frequencies ranging from 360 to 800Hz. This approach is known as ‘wild’ frequency. It simplifies mechanical complexities of engine powered electrical generators. On board generators are now able to allow the frequency to vary with engine speed. Today there are a number of both Aerospace AC and DC power standards which both commercial and military aircraft systems have to comply.

Commercial avionics tests standards such as DO-160 and EuroCAE 14 have a wide range of AC power immunity tests that have to be performed on airborne electronics. More recently, several commercial aircraft manufacturers have developed their own version of these test standards based largely on DO-160. Examples are Airbus ABD0100.1.8 (A380), ABD0100.1.8.1 (A350), Airbus AMD24C (A400M) and Boeing B787 (Dreamliner).
Military aircraft electronics have to comply with standards such as MIL-STD-704. These standards evolve along the same lines as commercial standards. Pacific Power Source’s products have grown from the capability to power aircraft electronics at 115Vac and 400Hz to full AC Power Compliance Test Systems today. Advanced Windows control software manages test sequences and provides documentation on product conformance.

High Frequency Programmable Sources for Aerospace Testing

Pacific Power Source’s programmable AC and AC/DC power source series and test sequence options replicate the environments required to test for compliance to Aerospace power test requirements.

Varying frequency, voltage, or harmonics, the AC power source can provide extensive control and simulation of the AC power on an aircraft. 

From small systems at the 500VA level to a full aircraft at 100’s of VA, Pacific Power Source’s systems are used the world over to test a wide variety of avionics loads for AC power compatibility with today’s Aerospace test standards.

Avionics Compliance Test Sequence Options

Several avionics test standards for both military and commercial aviation exist to ensure airborne equipment is immune to power bus fluctuations and anomalies that may occur during flight. A precision single or three phase AC power source is required to perform such tests. Significant time savings can be accomplished performing these tests by use of the available pre-written test sequences for the various avionics test standards. Test report generation is part of these avionics test options and provides detailed information on the applied AC power stimulus and the behavior of any unit under test (UUT) as observed by the test operator. This allows the test to be recorded and filed to document compliance of the UUT.
Test sequence options are currently available for the following avionics test standards with more being added on an on-going basis. If you don’t find the tests you are looking for in this list, please contact Pacific Power Source for updated information on pending option releases.
Test Standard Description Edition PPS P/N
RTCA/DO160 Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, Section 16, Power Input Version G 149124
Airbus ABD0100.1.8 Electrical and Installation Requirements, Part 1, Chapter 8, A380 Version E 149102
Airbus ABD0100.1.8.1 Electrical Characteristics of A350, Part 1, Chapter 8: AC and DC Systems, A350 Version C 149125
Airbus AMD24C Electrical Characteristics of aircraft AC and DC Systems, A400M Version C 149127
Boeing 787B3-0147 787 Electrical Power Quality and Design Requirements Version C 149126
MIL-STD-704 US Department of Defense, Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics. Version A 149112
US Department of Defense, Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics. Version F 149101
MIL-STD-1399-300B US Department of Defense, Navy, Shipboard Electric Power, AC Version B 149130
MIL-STD-1399-300-1 US Department of Defense, Navy, Shipboard Electric Power, AC Part 1 149132
Download Avionics Compliance Test Options Data Sheet

Diverse Military AC Power Testing Applications

From field use to shipboard applications to laboratory environments, Pacific Power Source’s Military customers benefit from the high-quality, rugged designs of its standard AC Power Sources and Frequency Converters. Pacific Power Source’s products have found themselves in a wide variety of Military applications and environments. Our standard products are being used in hangars testing aircraft, shipboard starting aircraft, and under tents powering sensitive electronic equipment. Most of these products were sold without significant modification and implemented in a short amount of time.

When special needs arise Pacific Power Source’s team of Engineers is able to respond with innovative designs and custom modifications to meet or exceed the customer’s requirements. Depending on the needs of the customer, we can modify an existing product or create a completely new power source solution.

If your requirements call for product compliance to Military AC Power test standards such as MIL-STD 704 or Airbus AMD24C, refer to the Avionics Compliance section on our applications page.

Test Standard Description Edition PPS P/N
Airbus AMD24C Electrical Characteristics of aircraft AC and DC Systems, A400M Version C 149127
MIL-STD-704 US Department of Defense, Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics. Version A 149112
US Department of Defense, Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics. Version F 149101
MIL-STD-1399-300B US Department of Defense, Navy, Shipboard Electric Power, AC Version B 149130
MIL-STD-1399-300-1 US Department of Defense, Navy, Shipboard Electric Power, AC Part 1 149132